THEY were a close-knit extended family -- but they have been torn apart by the brutal murder of one of their members.

As Mohammed Meherban, 26, today started a life sentence for battering his brother-in-law Mohammed Azam to death, one of Mr Azam's nephews told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph how the killing had devastated the family.

The jury at Liverpool Crown Court was told that Mr Azam, 36, had been having an affair with Meherban's wife Rubina and his sister-in-law Azrha and that Meherban killed him because his honour was at stake.

Meherban, of Higher Antley Street, Accrington, and Mr Azam, who lived in Bullough Close, Accrington, both hailed from the village of Chattroh in Kashmir and Meherban came to England in 1998 following an arranged marriage.

Mr Azam's nephew, Karamat Hussain, 45, a taxi driver, of Kingston Avenue, Accrington, said: "Mohammed Azam was a very good bloke. He would help everyone in the family.

"His wife and children are suffering and have a lot of problems. Mr Azam has family in London and Rochdale and they cannot help them from there. There is only me who lives in Accrington to help them.

"The kids have found it very difficult and are struggling now. The eldest was a really happy lad and was very good friends with his father and the middle one thinks about his dad all the time. His wife can't speak English or write and she has diabetes. It is very tragic. "We are all struggling to come to terms with it.

"Mr Azam was really good to Meherban's family and used to take them everywhere. He drove Meherban about because he couldn't drive and helped him with things because Meherban could not speak English."

Mr Hussain denied the rumours that Mr Azam was sleeping with Meherban's wife and his sister-in-law.

"Mr Azam was happy with his wife and children and Meherban killed a guy who was always taking care of them. I don't know why he killed him. We were all born in the same village and have known each other for many years.

"Meherban said he killed for honour, but you can't kill for that reason.

"This has torn the family apart. We used to be so close before. We used to call each other up and go to each other's houses, but the families don't talk now.

"Meherban has brought shame on the family. Azrha and Rubina have done nothing wrong but Meherban said they had an affair with Mr Azam. Where is the honour in that?

"The poor girls Azrha and Rubina have had their lives ruined. It is sad for all the family."

After the case at Liverpool Crown Court, senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Paul Buschini said: "It is a tragic case that has happened to a family like this, but hopefully they will put this behind them and get on with the rest of their lives."

Detective Sergeant Neil Hunter said: "The problem with these crimes is that it creates so many victims and creates so many divisions within the family.

"It is a very difficult thing for the police to manage in relation to providing family liaison support but the family have conducted themselves with enormous dignity not only leading up to but during the trial."